We're excited to announce the start of Student Heart Phase Two!
The works to provide a new entrance into J Block, internal refurbishment of the Hall and toilets and external Landscaping works will commence on Monday 25th September 2023. Works will continue through to August 2024.
The student square will be segregated of to allow the contractors to complete the works however pedestrian access for staff and students will remain outside K Block.
There will be noise to complete the excavations to the foundations, construction of the new walls and installation of drainage and landscaping throughout.
We attach existing and proposed floor plans of the works for your information. If you have any comments or would like any further information please contact mark.belton@stmarys.ac.uk.
What is Student Heart?
Student Heart was created in 2018. It covers a number of construction projects that will significantly enhance the student experience at St Mary's – delivering facilities that match our ambitions for the future and maximising the impact of our stunning surroundings
At the centre of this are four key themes:
- Student experience
- Widening participation
- Student recruitment
- Student retention
Why is Student Heart important?
The University’s main campus comprises of a wide range of buildings of different ages and construction. The central area of the main campus, between the sports fields and piazza has buildings that are largely standalone with no inter relationship either physically or between the uses within them.
Student Heart will bring buildings together, not just physically but by developing a coherent flow of users, improving student facilities and their experience.
What is happening and when?
We will be sharing regular updates via news articles, videos and photos of the space as the project progresses.
Student Heart Phase two works are now starting to gather pace and soon you will see the construction of the new road and pathway next to the Rugby pitch. A temporary path is being installed to allow for access to the accommodation down that end of campus.
The steel has also started to be installed in the roof, which is starting to make a significant change to the current building works and will start to really show how the building will be shaped.
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The Student Heart Phase 2 project is now really taking shape and we are starting to see the increase in scale of the new event spaces. Please see the photos to start to give you an idea of the space being created.
Next week the contractors will be completing timberwork to the sides of the roof and new blockwork walls to support the roof structure. So the building will start to become more water tight.
We are also preparing to carry out the works in the existing bar space and the J Block toilet refurbishment which will both commence on Monday 29 January 2024. Works to J Block Office J116 and the second floor office will also start in February 2024. We will be consulting staff who work in these spaces and will do as much as we can to help minimise disruption while the work is carried out over a three week period. Over the next week we also consult on and confirm how staff and students will get in and out of J Block whilst the works are completed.
We thank you for your patience.
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Student Heart Phase 2 is progressing well and we are starting to see the full scale of the project. Please see the photos below to give you an idea of the space.
Next week the contractors will be completing the flat roof coverings to the main roof, continuing the refurbishment to the toilets and we will also see the new Function Rooms 2 and 3 take shape. (This is what you may know as the old bar area)
We thank you for your continued patience.
Works on our Student Heart Phase 2 project have been progressing at pace these past few weeks with some of the key structural elements to the build finally starting to take shape. The start of electrical works and installation of toilets is a significant step forward, bringing us another step closer to making the building usable for all.
The SMSU team have provided a quick taster as to what to expect from the new space:
Student Heart Phase 2 brings four new spaces, including an SU Bar, onto campus. From new events, to new social space for societies and clubs, to new areas for students to study in together, we can't wait to open the new building in September!
Over the next few weeks, the contractors will be installing windows on the exterior of the building, and we will really start to see the designs really come to life. They will also be adding cladding to the roof to ensure the space is watertight throughout ensuring the durability and resilience of the structure.
We thank you for your patience and will share another update with you soon.
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Like with all major development projects there will inevitably be some noise and disruption as the works progress. We’re working closely with our contractors to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.
The latest information and regular updates about the project will be posted on this web page, and shared via Staff and Student communication channels.
We welcome your feedback. Please contact the University’s Estates team, by emailing estates@stmarys.ac.uk.